Secrets of Dealing With Equipment Leasing Financing Companies

What’s my rate? Are we approved? What are my rights and obligations under this transaction? What’s the capital of North Dakota… oh sorry, forget that last one..!

And on it goes… these are just some of the many questions that clients ask us when they are looking for assistance in sourcing and negotiating equipment leasing and working with financing companies in that regard. We do acknowledge it’s a big challenge sometimes – the Canadian marketplace is a bit different than its counterpart in the U.S. The finance industry is fragmented, and business owners and financial mangers absolutely could not be expected to know the credit appetite, the asset appetite, and the structuring options available from literally hundreds of firms offering lease financing.

Let’s share some ‘ secrets’ and tips around ensuring you can be successful in your equipment financing strategy. First of all, different strokes for different folks – what do we mean by that? Simply there are number of very well published ‘ equipment leasing benefits ‘ offered by finance firms. Do they all apply to your firm? Probably note, so focus in on understanding which benefits of lease financing work for you, and then… maximize them! Through effective negotiations.

For the record those benefits usually include payment structuring to your cash flow, tax advantages, upgrade and return options, and simply being an alternative to traditional debt and loan negotiation. Oh and we forgot one other key benefit, its generally recognized that lease financing credit approval is significantly easier to obtain than bank term debt or other loan mechanisms of a more traditional nature.

Psst… Want to know another secret. Here’s a good one, that almost no transaction is too large or too small for the Canadian equipment financing market. So, if it makes sense to lease a 2000.00 photocopier consider it, and if you’re buying a corporate jet for 3 Million dollars, there is a lease approval for that asset also.

If there is on obvious secret or tip that most owners miss it’s simply that when it comes to any type of ‘ technology ‘ you should consider equipment leasing with financing companies that are knowledgeable about the asset. We are mostly talking about computers, but the tech universe today covers telecom, and many other types of assets. Technology changes, tech assets depreciates very quickly, and the best kept secret in town is often a technology operating lease, allowing you full use, but not ownership, of the asset.

Many clients seem confused by the ‘ lingo’ used by financing companies. You can be forgiven for not knowing ‘ off balance sheet leasing, residuals, fmv, all in rate, amort, ‘ etc, etc etc. So the best and final secret we can probably provide for you is simply to search out a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will help you identify priorities and finalize equipment leasing success for your asset acquisitions.